About Behind the Apron Media

An overhead view of a marble table with various elegant tasting menu dishes, including bread rolls, seafood, wagyu, and desserts.

Behind the Apron Media is a Denver-based boutique creative agency fueled by over 35 years of combined experience in building bold brands and crafting compelling stories. BTA is a small but mighty team — an award-winning powerhouse trio that is not only passionate about what we do, but deeply invested in the people, purpose, and passion behind every project.

With a sharp eye for detail and a love for authentic storytelling, we bring food and beverage brands to life through striking photography, cinematic videography, strategic digital marketing, purpose-driven PR, and engaging social media, in ways that not only elevate, but truly resonate.

Tarah Runco in a pink floral top, smiling and resting her chin on her hands, leaning over her kitchen counter with a bowl of braised venison garnished with bread and greens in front of her.

Tarah Runco

Co-Owner, President, Creative Director, Photographer, Host

Tarah Runco is a seasoned creative force fueled by a passion for food, storytelling, and the communities that connect them. With over 20 years in advertising and marketing, she’s helped bring brands of all sizes to life — crafting compelling narratives that elevate, strengthen, and tell rich, meaningful stories.

Her love affair with Denver’s food scene sparked during the pandemic, when she began spotlighting local, independant gems on her Instagram, @thebainmarie. What started as a passion project soon turned into a purpose — leading her to co-found Behind the Apron Media, driven by her commitment to elevating, promoting, and telling the untold stories of Colorado’s food and beverage world.

Now, as the host of Chef’n It, Tarah brings her signature warmth, curiosity, and appetite for great conversation to the screen — welcoming viewers into her home kitchen to showcase Colorado’s best chefs and share how to bring a taste of their restaurant into the home kitchen.

Emerson Killion

Emerson Killion with his curly red hair, glasses, and a big smile taking a close-up selfie on a snowy mountain trail, carrying camera equipment on his shoulder, wearing outdoor winter gear and a hat, with snow and trees in the background.

Co-Owner, Director of Visual Content, Cinematographer, Photographer

Emerson Killion is a seasoned cinematographer with a sharp eye for story and a deep love for the long game. With over a decade of experience behind the lens, he’s carved out a niche in crafting immersive, story-driven content — from emotionally resonant documentaries to high-impact commercials and scroll-stopping social media campaigns. His work doesn’t just capture attention — it connects, educates, and lingers.

When he’s not on set, you’ll find Emerson climbing the vertical walls of the Rockies or in his favorite creative space: the kitchen. A passionate home cook, he’s constantly chasing new techniques, flavors, and the perfect homemade sauce. Whether he’s filming or flambéing, Emerson brings curiosity, craft, and heart to everything he creates.

Lane Rice with long, curled red hair smiling outdoors, wearing a black top and colorful earrings, with blurred trees in the background.

Lane Rice

Writer, Social Media Manager, Associate Producer

Lane Rice is the voice behind the visuals at Behind the Apron Media — serving as the team’s content writer, storyteller, and social media strategist. With a background in journalism and a knack for narrative, she’s passionate about translating complex ideas into clear, compelling stories that spark connection and conversation. Whether she’s crafting a caption, scripting a feature, or shaping a brand’s tone, Lane brings intention, curiosity, and heart to every word.

A budding foodie with a deep appreciation for the craft of cooking, Lane is drawn to the stories simmering behind every dish, the traditions, the triumphs, and the people who make it all happen. She finds inspiration in the details — the sizzle of a pan, the history in a recipe, the soul behind the plate — and brings those elements to life through every post, caption, and campaign.